'IwiRail' nothing less than economic sabotage
12 JULY 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Taxpayers’ Union is staggered at the economic recklessness of the Maori Party’s “IwiRail” announcement, labeling it
'populist economic sabotage'.
Reacting to the policy, Jordan Williams, spokesperson for the Taxpayers’ Union, said: “The Maori Party will be well
aware of the economic modelling completed by Treasury, and many others over the years. Investing this much in New
Zealand’s most uneconomic rail lines, is a short-term make-work scheme at an eye-watering cost to taxpayers.”
“Economically, this is worse than literally lighting a bonfire of taxpayers’ money. It takes money away from desperately
needed infrastructure, like the road links to the East Coast.”
“The Māori Party says it ‘believes rail has a critical role in shaping the future of our regions’. If they mean 1970’s
NZR style make-work schemes that sent the country bust, they are absolutely right.”
ENDS